Parent/Student
Handbook
2015-2016
South Elementary School
13400 Prince George Drive
Disputanta, VA 23842
Phone: (804) 733-2755
Fax: (804) 732-5844
Prince George County Public Schools
http://pgs.k12.va.us/south
[1]
South Elementary School
13400 Prince George Drive
Disputanta, VA 23842
(PHONE) 804 733-2755
(FAX) 804 732-5844
(WEB PAGE) www.pgs.k12.va.us/south
September 2015
Dear Parents:
Welcome to South Elementary School! We look forward to working closely with you throughout the
school year. Educating your children is a shared responsibility. Parents, teachers, office staff and the
administration all have a common goal - to help your child be successful in school and feel good about their
accomplishments. We welcome your involvement and input. Should you ever have a question or concern,
please send a note, call us or stop by the office. When we work together, we can make a positive difference!
We are extremely pleased to share that South Elementary School has been recognized by the Board of
Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia as a 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Distinguished Title I School! This award is given to schools for success in making adequate yearly progress
(AYP) without using the safe harbor provision: for being fully accredited; and for exceeding the annual
measurable objectives (AMO) in English and mathematics; as well as for having a mean score at the 60th
percentile in English and in mathematics on the Standards of Learning assessments.
In other words, students at South Elementary School are certainly learning and they are making
significant gains in reading, writing, and mathematics. We hope that you feel that we are a team in teaching
your children academic and social skills that will help them now and in years to come.
Best wishes for a prosperous and enjoyable school year!
Administration, Faculty & Staff
South Elementary School
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
South Elementary School
733-2755
School Board Office
733-2700
Food Services
733-2710
Transportation
733-2712
Champions @ South
931-9488
[2]
South Elementary School
Mission Statement
The mission of South Elementary School, in partnership with the
community, is to provide a quality educational program in a safe
environment, to assist each student in reaching his/her potential, and to
prepare students to be responsible, productive citizens in a diverse and
ever-changing society.
Vision Statement
South Elementary School is committed to the development of each student to his or her
potential, both as an individual and as a member of society. To fulfill this commitment and
accomplish our vision, we at South Elementary School, must continue to provide our students with
the educational and social skills that enable each student to become a lifelong learner and
contributing member of society.
Beliefs
At South Elementary we believe…
1. All students can learn using a diverse, challenging, and differentiated curriculum supported by the
use of technology.
2. Each individual has self-worth, dignity, and rights that should be respected by all.
3. The educational environment should encourage explorations, creativity, innovation, and change.
4. Learning encompasses intellectual, physical, social, ethical, and emotional growth.
5. All individuals have a right to a safe and secure environment where trust, encouragement, and
support prevail.
6. A quality education encourages and facilitates life-long learning by providing the skills to learn
and work in a diverse society.
7. Staff and students shall be given a variety of learning experiences that will foster a “love of
learning.”
8. Sufficient resources are necessary to meet the needs of all students in order to enhance a
successful learning environment.
9. Continuous communication is essential among staff, students, parents, and the community in
order to meet the students’ needs.
10. The South Elementary community (staff, students, and families) should take responsibility for its
actions and pride in its accomplishments.
11. Ongoing staff development activities are essential to meet the needs of teachers and students.
12. Expectations should be challenging but attainable and result in maximizing individual learning
and success.
[3]
South Elementary School
Faculty and Staff
2015-16
Principal
Assistant Principal
Guidance Counselor
Secretaries
Nurse
Robin Pruett
Susan Braswell
Erika Hahn
Missy Hayes & Karen Belcher
Ina Moody
Kindergarten
Linda Webb
Linda Wicks
Michelle Smith
Bonnie Sponsler
Room Number
110
111
112
113
First Grade
Beth Whelan
Amy Sadler
Jenny Lowe
Becky Carroll
210
211
212
213
Second Grade
Jenny Brockwell
Pam Thompson
Iris Chapman
Rhonda Wohnig
206
207
208
209
Third Grade
Maria Guidry
Darlene Heiser
Amelia Ruffin
303
305
306
Fourth Grade
Lori McCoy
Bonnie Mitchell
Tamera Ramsey
MaryEllen Flickinger
307
308
309
312
Fifth Grade
Tiffany Cauley
Maria Torruella
Michelle Gates
310
311
401
Special Education
Vanessa Bell & Thelma Grant
Erica Shields & Veronica Reed
Rebecca Buyalos & Veronica Reed
Megan Morris
106
400
400
203A
[4]
ECSE
Sarah Toombs & Beverly Nadeau
109
4 Yr. Old Program
Frances Lilley & Mary Slusser
107
P.E.
Jim Wicks & Kyle Bishop
Gym
Music
Storm Burks
108
Art
Tami Bowman
200
Librarian
Leslie Allin
Teresa Stuckey – Library Secretary
Library – 201
Title I
Ellen Walthall
Title I – 203B
Gifted/Talented
Kathy Hayes
204
Speech
Sarah Foote
104
Math Interventionist
Jenny Michael
205
ITRT
Lena Franklin
101A
Instructional Assistant
Joyce Anderson
Workroom
PALS/ESL Tutor
Janie Coalson
105
OT & PT
Ruth Morrison (OT)
Sarah Morris (PT)
104
102
(Vision & Hearing to be determined)
Custodial Staff
Cafeteria Staff
Cafeteria Monitors
Frank Lanier, Head Custodian
Dudley Matthews
Gisela Martinez
Jay Taylor, Head Night Custodian
Debra Smith, Manager
Maebell Claiborne
Bridget Green
Tawanna Robinson
Lauretta Wyche
Margaret Vaughan
Della Hathoway
Melissa Buchan
[5]
SCHOOL CALENDAR
2015-16
New Teacher Orientation
All Teachers Report
Staff Development Day
Staff Development Day
Teacher Workday
Teacher Workday
Orientation
Labor Day - closed
First Day for Students
1st Interim Report to Parents
First Grading Period Ends (45 Days)
Staff Development Day (no school for students)
Teacher Workday (no school for students)
1st Report Card to Parents
Thanksgiving Break - closed
2nd Interim Report to Parents
Christmas Break - closed
Martin Luther King Day - closed
*Student Early Release 12:45
2nd Grading Period Ends (43 Days)
Teacher Workday & Staff Development (no school for students)
2nd Report Card to Parents
3rd Interim Report to Parents
3rd Grading Period Ends (44 Days)
Easter Break - closed
Teacher Workday & Staff Development
(no school for students)
3rd Report Card to Parents
4th Interim Report to Parents
Memorial Day - closed
*Student Early Release 12:45
4th Grading Period Ends (48 Days)
Last day of School
4th Report Card to Parents
August 24 – 25, 2015
August 26 – September 4, 2015
August 26, 2015
August 31 – September 1, 2015
August 27 – 28, 2015
September 2 – 4, 2015
September 3, 2015
September 7, 2015
September 8, 2015
October 7, 2015
November 10, 2015
November 3, 2015
November 11, 2015
November 17, 2015
November 25, 26 & 27, 2015
December 16, 2015
December 21, 2015 – January 1, 2016
January 18, 2016
Jan. 27, 28, 29, 2016
January 29, 2016
February 1, 2016
February 5, 2016
March 2, 2016
April 8, 2015
March 28 – 31 & April 1, 2016
April 11, 2016
April 15, 2016
May 11, 2016
May 30, 2016
June 15, 16, 17, 2016
June 17, 2016
June 17, 2016
June 17, 2016
*Early Release Days – Dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
(Dates subject to change due to snow or other emergencies.)
[6]
Parental Involvement at South Elementary
PARENT ACTION TEAM (PAT)
South Elementary School has very active parent involvement. Parental participation helps us provide
special activities for our students throughout the year and we welcome volunteers to help with special events.
The Parent Action Team will contact individuals to assist with inventorying, ordering and selling of South
spirit wear, organizing the collection of box tops, fundraising for the school, coordinating CiCi’s Pizza Nights,
Spring Fling, serving at AR ice cream parties, running the Book Fair, and being helpers at grade level
activities and Field Day.
MEETING DATES at 6:30p.m.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Open House
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
Winter Program
Thursday, February 18, 2016 (5:30 – 7:30) Math/Reading Night
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Spring Program
Parental Involvement Policies and Practices
South Elementary School
PURPOSE
The purpose of parental involvement policies and practices is to improve student academic
achievement and school performance. They are based on the belief that parents, and all members of
the community, share with the school both the concern and responsibility for meeting the educational
needs of children. Its intent is to forge a partnership between parents and teachers in support of the
State’s challenging achievement standards.
Goals
The goals of parental involvement policies and practices include the following:
1. To involve parents practices in school review and improvement. (Parent leadership.)
2. To ensure that this policy is distributed to parents of students in an understandable, uniform
format and, as much as possible, in a language that parents can understand.
(Communication and building parent capacity.)
3. To build the parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement and thus improve the
academic quality of the school and of each student. This includes identifying and as much as
possible, removing, barriers for all parents including economically disadvantaged, disabled,
and non-English speaking parents as well as parents of every ethnicity. (Building school and
parent capacity.)
4. To establish procedures for coordinating and integrating the school’s parental involvement
policies and practices with those of other programs that are available e.g. the pre-school atrisk parental involvement program. (Coordination).
[7]
5.
To establish procedures for establishing other effective strategies, programs, and procedures,
such as parent resource centers, in order to encourage and support parents to more fully
participate in their child’s education. (Continuous improvement.)
6. To establish a procedure for evaluating the effectiveness of the school’s parental
involvement policies, practices, and procedures and a procedure for using those findings to
continuously improve parental involvement. (Continuous improvement.)
7. To provide assistance to parents in understanding the following topics and other topics of
importance: The State’s academic content standards, the State’s student academic
achievement standards, other State and/or local academic assessments of importance to their
child’s academic success, how parents can monitor their child’s progress to improve
achievement, and how parents can work with educators to improve achievement.
(Communication and building parent capacity.)
8. To establish procedures to assure that information related to school and parent programs,
meetings, and other activities is sent to parents of participating students in a format and, to the
extent practical, in a language that parents can understand. (Communication and building
parent capacity.)
9. To foster parental involvement by providing materials and training to help parents to work
with their children to improve academic achievement. (Building parent capacity.)
10. To educate, with the help of parents, school personnel on the value of parent contributions,
ways to reach, communicate, and work with parents as equal partners, how to implement and
coordinate parent programs, and how to build ties between parents and schools. (Parent
leadership and building school capacity.)
11. To increase home-school communications and cooperation and to develop a sense of
partnership through such strategies as a fall orientation meeting, a parent-teacher conference
opportunity, frequent progress reports, reasonable access to faculty, and opportunities to
volunteer. (Communication and building school and parent capacity.)
PROCEDURES
1. Annual School Events:
 Before the opening of school, orientation meetings for new and returning students.
 An open house.
 One to two workshops: School and/or division-wide.
 A minimum of one annual parent/teacher conference day.
 An opportunity to volunteer.
 An opportunity to request parent/teacher conferences as needed.
 Family Math/Reading Night
2. A copy of this policy must be provided to the parents of each student annually.
3. A school newsletter will be sent home a minimum of two times per year describing:
a. The school's responsibilities for providing high-quality curriculum and instruction in a
supportive and effective learning environment.
b.The parent's responsibilities such as monitoring attendance, homework completion,
volunteering, and use of extracurricular time.
[8]
VOLUNTEER AIDE PROGRAM
Many South parents volunteer one or more days a week. These volunteers
serve the school in many, many useful ways that give the teachers more time
to work with the students. We encourage and appreciate your participation.
We also need parents to assist in our library & computer lab. Let us know if you are able to help.
Parent Involvement Plan
Purpose
The central purpose of having a parent involvement plan is to improve students’ academic achievement.
Parent involvement is based on the belief that parents and all members of the community share with the
schools both the concern and responsibility for meeting the educational needs of children. The plan’s intent is
to enhance a partnership between parents and teachers in support of the challenging achievement standards
established by the state (Standards of Learning), the federal government (No Child Left Behind), and the
locality.
Goals
1. Include parents as decision-makers.
2. To involve parents in the evaluation, and improvement of parental involvement policies and practices.
3. Improve parent capacity through information, the use of innovative strategies, and the removal of barriers.
a. To ensure parents are informed, as much as possible, in a language and a format that parents can
understand about the following topics:
i. Parent involvement policies and programs.
ii. Academic standards.
iii. State, federal, and local assessments and how they, as parents, can monitor their child’s progress.
iv. Methods and strategies that enable parents to work with educators to improve achievement.
v. The date, time, and purpose of parent programs, meetings, and other activities.
b. To establish innovative, effective (research based) strategies, programs, and procedures, in order to
encourage and support parents to more fully participate in their child’s education. (Example: Parent
resource centers or technology based programs)
c. To build the parents’ capacity for strong parent involvement, including identifying and removing
barriers for all parents (Examples of groups with barriers: Parents of the economically disadvantage,
disabled, and non-English speaking as well as parents of every ethnicity)
4. Improve school and teacher capacity for parent involvement through information and research-based
effective materials.
5. To build each school’s and each teacher’s capacity for planning effective parent involvement practices,
targeting improved student achievement This includes educating, with the help of parents, school
personnel on:
d. The value of parent contributions.
e. Ways to reach communicate and work with parents as equal partners.
f. How to implement and coordinate parent programs.
g. How to build ties between parents and schools, including such strategies as: meetings, compacts,
parent-teacher conferences, frequent progress reports, reasonable access to faculty, opportunities to
volunteer, and opportunities to observe.
6. Improve coordination of parent involvement programs and practices throughout the county schools.
7. To establish procedures for coordinating parent involvement throughout the county.
[9]
TARGET AREA:
GOAL STATEMENT:
Action
Parent Involvement
Include parents as decision-makers. To involve parents in the joint development,
evaluation, and improvement of parental involvement policies and practices.
Estimated
Resources
Timeline
Person(s)
Responsible
Means of Evaluation
South will create
and implement a
parent
involvement
policy
2009-Ongoing - Disseminate
it, implement the plan, and
evaluate it annually

Paper or
technology for
disseminating
plans

Principal or their
designees
School Planning
Council/Steering
Committee will review
the plan, discuss its
implementation, and
make suggestions for
revision annually
Annually a parent
will be invited to
be on various
school
committees such
as Title One
Parent
involvement, and
Parent Action
Team.
2011-Ongoing- Annually
each administrator submits to
the chairperson of the
Comprehensive Committee,
no later than September 31,
the name of the decision
making committee, that deals
with parent involvement, and
the number of meetings
scheduled for that school year

None

Principal or their
designees

TARGET AREA:
GOAL STATEMENT:
Action
List of parents and the
committees on which
they serve
Parent Involvement
Improve school and teacher capacity for parent involvement through information and
research-based, effective materials.
Estimated
Resources
Timeline
Person(s)
Responsible
Means of Evaluation
Utilize the January
Parent/Teacher
Conference afternoon
to meet with parents
about student progress
2009-Ongoing

Time

Principal or
designee

Schedules of
conferences
Include effective
strategies for
conferencing with
parents about the
academic expectations
for their child as a topic
in staff development
sessions and/or
materials disseminated
to all teachers
2009-Ongoing

Could include a fee
for a presenter

Principals


Directors

Cost of materials
Faculty Meeting or
Staff Development
Agendas or handouts
[10]
TARGET AREA:
GOAL STATEMENT:
Action
Parent Involvement
Improve parent capacity through information, the use of innovative strategies, and the removal
of barriers.
Estimated
Resources
Timeline
Person(s)
Responsible
Means of
Evaluation
Continue to utilize
division level services
for translating
important letters and
documents into a
language and/or format
that parents can
understand
2009-Ongoing When
needed, will contact
appropriate personnel for
services available.

Cost of services
located

ESL Director,
Principals and
Directors of other
programs who create
and send letters and
documents to parents

Continue to develop
and encourage the use
of the Grade Reporting
System, School
Messenger and other
forms of technology to
reach parents
2009-Onging
Parents will be provided
information about Portal
from the Office of
Technology.
2009-Ongoing School
administrators will use
School Messenger when
appropriate.

Portal fees including
those needed to
expand services

Director of Technology


School Messenger
fees

Director of Technology
Continue to offer
workshops for parents
which inform then how
they can help their
child succeed in school.
2009-OngoingWorkshops will be offered
by the Preschool program,
Title I, and Gifted
program as well as Family
Math/Reading Night and
information shared at
Orientation/Open House.

Will vary but may
include such things as
cost for providing
food at meetings, fees
for presenters, and the
purchase of research
based materials

Principals and
Directors
[11]
The effectiveness of
our communication
with parents will be
an item of
discussion for our
staff.
Feedback by parents
to teachers,
principals, and other
administrators
 Same as above

Agendas, calendar
of school events and
/or sign in sheets.
TARGET AREA:
GOAL STATEMENT:
Action
Parent Involvement
Improve coordination of parent involvement programs and practices throughout the
county schools.
Estimated
Resources
Timeline
Send information about
South’s meetings and
other school activities to
be placed on the countywide calendar in an
attempt to avoid conflicts
2009-Ongoing

Use of a county-wide
calendar that would not
accept conflict
Possibly updated
technology

Staff time
Update monthly school
calendar on the school’s
website and send a copy
home with students
2009-Ongoing

Time

Paper
Person(s)
Responsible
Means of
Evaluation

Technology Director,
other Directors,
Principals, and/or
Clerk of the Board

The quality of the
calendar and how it is
used to avoid
conflicts

Office staff

Calendar with the
activities listed
SCHOOL PLANNING COUNCIL/STEERING COMMITTEE
South Elementary School, like all of the schools in the Prince George County School Division, has a
School Planning Council/Steering Committee. This council is composed of parents and members of the South
Elementary School Faculty. Its purpose is to identify areas for special attention, formulate desirable
procedures to meet selected needs, as well as to indicate other areas to be considered for future attention.
This council has played a dual role as it has acted as a Steering Committee for school improvement.
Prince George County elementary schools are in the process of seeking accreditation by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). This
process compares policies, practices and conditions with a school division with SCA CASI standards for
vision and purpose, governance and leadership, teaching and learning, documenting and using results,
resources and support systems, stakeholder communication and relationships and commitment to continuous
improvement.
South Elementary School earned SACS CASI division accreditation in the fall of 2008. This
accreditation status indicates the school’s commitment to best practices, quality instruction, and increased
student achievement. The SACS CASI process for school divisions complements Virginia’s rigorous
accreditation standards for individual schools and ensures that school divisions implement a systemic approach
to continuous improvement.
SCHOOL HOURS
8:00 AM
Office Opens
8:30 AM
Teachers Arrive
9:00 AM
Beginning of School Day
3:30 PM
Dismissal of Students
3:45 PM
Teachers Depart
4:00 PM
Office Closes
[12]
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CARDS
The importance of these cards cannot be over-emphasized!!!!
One must be filled
in completely and returned to your child’s teacher as quickly as possible in September. The information must
be kept CURRENT as it is placed on file in the office and used to reach you when an emergency arises.
Please up-date your child’s Emergency Information Card whenever your address, home phone number,
work place, work phone number or cell number changes, or if there is a correction in the people
authorized to pick up your child in an emergency situation. It is most important for your child’s safety that
this is done.
VISITORS
All persons coming onto school property must report to the office first before proceeding to any
other area of the school grounds. Visitors will be asked to present their driver’s license to be scanned upon
entering the main office. After the driver’s license is scanned then the parent will be asked to sign in and
receive a visitor's pass/badge. These procedures are designed to make our school safe. Upon leaving, please
stop by the office and sign out. School Personnel have been instructed to ask visitors to report to the office if
they have no pass/badge…should this occur, simply smile, thank the person and report to the office.
[13]
LATE ARRIVALS
Students arriving after the school starting time will be
counted as tardy and must be “signed in” at the office by the
parent. This rule will not apply when buses are late. Each child
is expected to be in his or her classroom before 9:00 a.m. If a
child is late, it is disruptive to the class and makes it difficult for
the child to settle into the daily routine. If a child demonstrates a
pattern of tardiness, the teacher will contact the parent to show
concern. If this pattern continues after this initial contact, the
administration may then contact the parent. If the pattern
persists, the school social worker may get involved with the
situation. When students arrive tardy, a parent/sitter must
walk the student into the office and sign the student in.
SIGNING STUDENTS OUT EARLY
All students leaving early must be signed out through the office. It is helpful to send notes ahead
when you know this will occur. Students may not be taken out before 3:30 PM on a regular basis. This
interferes with the educational program and could hinder your child's academic progress.
Requests to change a child’s normal means of dismissal must be made in writing by the parents
and sent to the teacher on the morning the change is to take place. The request should contain the name of
the student and the time the student is to be picked up. Please come into the office and sign the student out.
The child will then be called from the classroom to the office. Parents must remain in the office lobby and
refrain from going directly to the classroom. Students are not to be released early for the purpose of taking
lessons in piano, dancing, karate, and such. Early dismissals are for medical appointments, special occasions,
or emergency situations only. We cannot accept telephone calls changing dismissal. This is for your child’s
safety. The following procedure has been developed to provide adequate supervision of students being picked
up after school (3:30 - 3:40):
1) Supervision will be provided for students whose parents are picking them up in front of the
office area.
2) Parent/sitter should not wait outside classrooms, on sidewalks, or in the halls.
3) Once parent/sitter has picked up student(s), the child(ren) become the parent/sitters’
responsibility.
TRAFFIC PATTERN
No cars should enter the school bus loading zone between the hours of 8:15-9:15
AM and 3:00 – 4:00 PM, or if buses are loading/unloading students in the bus lane. This is
done so that South Elementary School can create the safest possible conditions for unloading
and loading our students each school day. A pick up/drop off/parking area is available in
the blacktop parking lot in front of the office. This area provides safe and easy access to
the building for students who are being dropped off in the mornings and picked up in the
afternoons. The number of vehicles coming to South Elementary has significantly increased.
In the afternoons, there are times that traffic has been backed up on Rt. 156 waiting to get in
the pickup area. Please stagger afternoon arrival times between 3:30 and 3:45 for the
safety of all.
DROPPING OFF STUDENTS BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL HOURS
Students should NOT be at school before 8:45am or after 3:45pm. This is very important for the
protection of the student, because teachers are not available to supervise students before 8:45am or after 3:45
pm. Students who lose bus-riding privileges should not arrive before 8:45am and must be picked up by 3:45
pm. Students should be dropped off in front of the office area and enter through the main lobby doors.
[14]
ABSENCES
Virginia state law requires the school to call the parent of any absent student whose parent has
not notified the school of the absence. ANY day your child is absent, PLEASE CALL THE
SCHOOL BEFORE 10:00 AM (733- 2755). The school has an answering machine. You may call
the office in the evenings or before school opens to leave this information. Otherwise you will be
called about your child's absence by the county’s computer system.
When your child returns to school after an absence, parents should send a note or a
doctor’s excuse if your child was under a doctor’s care. This note or doctor’s excuse is very
important as it verifies your child’s absence.
Regular school attendance is valuable and relevant for academic achievement. It promotes
the development of good habits for punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility.
In accord with the State of Virginia Compulsory School Attendance Laws, any child who will
have reached the fifth birthday on or before September 30th of any school year and who has not
passed the eighteenth birthday is obligated to attend school on a regular basis. School attendance
is the legal responsibility of the parents.
[15]
ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
If a student must be absent from school, a note from home should accompany the student
upon return to school. This note should explain the reason for the absence. Teachers will KEEP these
notes on file in their rooms. If a student fails to bring a note from home, the student is reminded to
bring it in on the following day.
Personal sickness and sickness or death in the family will be the reasons for a verified absence.
A note of explanation does not excuse the student from the work missed while absent. However, it
does give the student permission to make up the work at the convenience of the teacher.
When a child returns to school after an absence, parents should send a note or a doctor’s
excuse if the child was under a doctor’s care. This note or doctor’s excuse is very important as it
verifies the child’s absence.
Prince George County Public Schools Attendance Procedures require the following: If your
child has been absent for five (5) days during the school year and you have not called or sent a note
verifying the absences, school personnel must contact you. You will be asked to explain why your
child was absent and will be informed of the consequences of continued nonattendance. If your child
has a sixth (6th) absence, a parent conference will be required to develop a Truancy Prevention Plan.
If no parent conference is held, the school personnel will contact a Visiting Teacher to make a home
visit to develop a plan to address absenteeism. If the absences continue other alternatives may be
used. These alternatives include referral to the Department of Social Services and/or to the Juvenile
& Domestic Relations Court.
Regular School attendance is valuable and relevant for academic achievement. It promotes
the development of good habits for punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility. In accord with the
State of Virginia Compulsory School Attendance Laws, any child who will have reached the fifth
th
birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and who has not passed the eighteenth
birthday is obligated to attend school on a regular basis. School attendance is the legal responsibility
of the parents.
The following regulations will govern attendance for all students:
1.
Every student is expected to be in school every day. There are no allowable days
given to students for absences by the school division. It is understood that some
absences will occur due to illness, medical appointments, court appointments,
religious holidays, and funerals. For such instances proper documentation must be
provided to the attendance officer/teacher upon the student’s return to school/class.
Documentation must include the appropriate signature, date of absences and reason
for absences. An absence is only considered excused if a note has been sent by the
parent to the teacher. A phone call to the school about the absence will only reflect
in the student’s absence being considered verified for the computer not an excused
absence. This is your responsibility to do this. This is keeping in accordance with
state law.
[16]
2.
Whenever a student is absent, the parent should notify the school to eliminate
unnecessary concern.
3.
Students are allowed to make up work missed because of absences except those
explained below. All arrangements must be made by the student and/or parent
within five (5) school days upon return to school or class.
Suspended students are allowed to make up work for a maximum of ten (10) outof-school suspension days in the school year. All makeup work must be completed
within five (5) days of return. Makeup work for out-of-school suspensions will not
th
be permitted beyond the tenth (10 ) out-of-school suspension day in the school
year. Students will receive a grade “zero” for all graded assignments during
suspension periods exceeding ten (10) school days within a school year. Students
suspended until a School Board hearing are allowed to keep up with their
assignments pending the outcome of the hearing.
Makeup work for absences resulting from truancy, skipping school, or cutting class
will not be permitted. A grade “zero” will be recorded.
The principal or designee will hear appeals for exception to the provision of the
make-up policy.
4.
Parents should be notified when students have excessive absences. School
personnel should contact parents by phone in an effort to determine reasons for the
excessive absences from school. Parents and students are encouraged and
responsible for monitoring student attendance as reported on the report card issued
each nine weeks period. Poor attendance will also be reported to parents in interim
reports sent to parents at the midpoint of each nine weeks grading period.
5.
If a student has been absent for five days during the school year without indication
of the parents’ awareness and support of the absences, the principal is required to
make every effort to ensure that direct contact is made with the parent to obtain an
explanation and explain to the parent the consequences of continued nonattendance.
The principal/designee, the student and the parent shall jointly develop a plan to
resolve the student’s nonattendance. The plan shall include documentation of the
reasons for the student’s nonattendance.
6.
If the students is absent an additional day (sixth absence) after direct contact with
the parent and the school official has received no indication that the parent is aware
of and supports the absence, the principal shall schedule a conference within ten
(10) school days with the student, parent, and school personnel to resolve issues
related to the student’s nonattendance. The conference shall be held not later the
fifteen (15) school days after the absence.
7.
If a student is absent a seventh day without indication that the parent is aware of
and supports the absence, the principal/designee shall refer the student to the
Visiting Teacher.
[17]
8.
Upon receipt of the referral, the Visiting Teacher will initiate contact with the
parents to determine the reason(s) for the excessive absences. A summary of
contacts as well as the explanation offered for the absences will be sent to school
personnel at the conclusion of the investigation.
9.
If the intervention on the part of the Visiting Teacher proves to be ineffective in
resolving the absenteeism, available alternatives can be pursued. These alternatives
include referral to the Department of Social Services and/or referral to the Juvenile
and Domestic Relations Court.
10.
Students who bring parental notes but display a pattern of excessive absence as
enumerated above, tardiness, or early dismissal, will be referred to the principal of
designee who shall investigate the absences and recommend appropriate corrective
action. For this purpose, each instance of a total of three (3) tardies or early
dismissals or a combination thereof shall be considered the equivalent of one (1)
day of absence.
11.
Skipping school/class will result in disciplinary action being taken by the school,
which shall include, but is not limited to, after school detention, attendance in
Saturday school, loss of parking privileges, or community service. Community
service shall be on school property, before or after school hours, and supervised by
school personnel. Repeat offenders increase the risk of losing credit for classes and
additional consequences.
12.
TARDINESS – students are expected to be on time for the beginning of classes.
Documentation must be provided for tardies, as well as absences. Unexcused
tardies will result in disciplinary action being taken by the principal. This action
does not exclude loss of parking privileges or riding privileges with other student
drivers.
13.
Full compliance of the compulsory attendance law of the Commonwealth of
Virginia is required of all students. See sections 22.1-254 and 258.
Adopted: January 8, 2001
Amended: April 12, 2004
[18]
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer-based reading incentive program
used by first through fifth graders and occasionally a kindergarten student to
test reading comprehension on designated books.
Art Club
This is a selected group of third through fifth grade students who work on special projects during the school
year to support the stakeholders.
Awards Day Assemblies
Students in grades three through five are recognized each nine weeks for academic excellence, meeting AR
goals, and perfect attendance. There are end-of-the-year assemblies for grades one through five. Students are
also recognized for showing excellent citizenship throughout the year (two students per class in grades 1 - 5)
and are awarded with a certificate and pin.
Before School Tutoring
The Before School Tutoring Program is available for students in grades two through five beginning in
November and concluding in the month of April. This program offers extra help to students in mastering
various Virginia Standards of Learning objectives in Reading and Math. It is staffed by certified teachers and
meets Tuesday and Thursday, 7:40-8:40 a.m.
Book Fairs
Fall and Spring book fairs offer students, teachers, and parents an opportunity to purchase books for their
personal collections. The profit from the fair is used to purchase items for student use in the library.
Character Education
Character Counts is emphasized at South. A monthly lesson is presented by teachers (more often if needed)
pertaining to one of the following pillars: responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship, caring, and
respect. The Character Counts “value of the month” is discussed during the morning announcements.
Students who are caught showing good character are recognized during announcements and receive a
certificate and pencil. Teachers also display a poster of the Character Values in their room. A bulletin board
outside the counselor’s office is used to highlight character values as well.
Chorus
Students in the fourth and fifth grades are invited to be a member of the South Chorus. They perform
approximately two concerts per school year.
Family Math/Reading Night
Family Math/Reading Night is held each school year. Parents and students are invited to school one evening
to engage in activities designed around reading and math. Refreshments are served.
Field Day
Field Day is an end-of-the-school-year event for all students and parents. Students participate in many
physical activities and games.
Orientations
A workshop for parents is conducted by all classroom teachers to explain teacher and state mandated
expectations. Strategies are given to parents so that they can assist their child at home to achieve success in
school.
[19]
Honor Roll
Students in grades three through five who make Honor Roll (As and Bs) and all A Honor Roll are recognized
each nine weeks in an academic assembly. Each child who earns this honor is given a ribbon.
Open House
In October, parents are invited to come to school to visit their child’s classroom, meet the teacher, and set up a
conference if needed.
Community Involvement
We also highlight ways to give back to the community and have participated in many charities including
South’s Caring Tree, Prince George County’s Elf Helpers Food Drive, Jump Rope for Heart, Pennies for
Patients, and many more. We have raised well over $6,000 this year alone!
South Elementary Website
This website has been established in an effort to inform persons globally about South Elementary School. The
site highlights our Mission and Belief statements, general information regarding the school, and parent,
student, and teacher resources.
Perfect Attendance Recognition
Students who attain perfect attendance each nine weeks are asked to stand at the Awards Day Assemblies. At
the final assembly of the year, the students that made perfect attendance all year are presented with a
certificate.
Reading Buddies
Several classes in grades three through five pair themselves with the kindergarten through second grade to read
with the younger students. Students visit each other’s classes for this activity.
Math/Science Day
South Elementary School has a Math/Science Day each year. Teachers organize activities for
their grade level which focus on these two subject areas.
Spelling Bee
Each class, in grades one through five, selects a class winner to participate in the school
spelling bee. The school spelling bee is held before the entire school and interested parents.
The school winner moves on to compete in the county spelling bee and may proceed to the
regional spelling bee. All spelling bee winners are recognized for their accomplishment.
Star of the Week
Each week, teachers select a student to become the class “Star of the Week.” Student certificates are posted
for a week and are then given to the students to take home, along with a star student pencil.
[20]
LOST AND FOUND
Children lose things on a fairly regular basis. Should your child lose something, please send a
descriptive note to school. Should the item be found, it will be returned to its owner. Over the years
we have found that LABELING clothing and lunch boxes is a big help. Sometime in the middle of
the year and at the end of the year, we send the unclaimed items to charity.
BOOKSTORE
The following items may be available for purchase from the school bookstore open each morning
9:15 – 9:30:
Glue
Crayons
Pencils
Erasers
Folders
Glue Sticks
Markers
Scissors
Grippers
Spiral Notebooks
Composition Books
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES & COMMUNICATION
Students should be helped to realize their responsibility to transport notes, notices and
bulletins between school and home. The parent/teacher conference is considered the most effective
vehicle for communication concerning a child’s life at school, and one can be scheduled at the
request of either parent or teacher. Parents can schedule conferences by calling the school or sending
a note to the teacher.
Arrangements for conferences between parents and teachers should be made in advance.
Conferences may be scheduled before and after school hours (8:45 - 3:30) and occasionally during
the day during a teacher's planning period. Parents are not to stop by the classroom during school
hours as this causes a disruption to the learning environment. It is critical that parents abide by
this request, as the protection of instructional time is our main concern.
[21]
Children need healthy meals to learn. Prince George County Public Schools offer nutritious meals every school day.
The cafeteria at your school is operated by the Prince George County Food & Nutrition Department.
Our schools offer a variety of menu selections which is designed to ensure we meet the nutritional needs of our
students as established by new USDA guidelines. Our department continuously works on teaching the importance of
healthy eating habits as part of a healthy lifestyle.
All schools in Prince George County participate in the National School Breakfast/Lunch Program.
Your child(ren) may be eligible for free meals or meals at a reduced price if your household income is within the
limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Menus are located on our school web site http://pgs.k12.va.us/. Breakfast and lunch will be served each day.
Breakfast will not be served if school opens two hours late, however, it will be served if school opens less than two
hours late.. The meal prices are as follows:
Breakfast
Full price
Reduced
$1.25
.30
Lunch
$2.45
.40
Please complete an application for free and reduced meals each year. If you do not receive one at the beginning of
the year, please contact the school office or our School Board Food & Nutrition Department at 733-2710. Our
applications are available on our school web site and one will be sent home with your child/ren at the beginning of
the year. You may reapply for free and reduced price meals any time during the school year. If you are not eligible
now but have a change, such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed
or get SNAP or TANF for your child(ren), fill out an application at that time.
We DO NOT ALLOW breakfast charges for any of the elementary students. No charges are allowed at the
secondary level (6-12). Parents will be notified by the “School Phone Messenger when a student has a negative less
than $1.25 balance at school. If a student wants to purchase “snack” items, and has a negative balance the money will
be applied to what is owed and no “snack” item will be given until the balance is satisfied. There will be no charges
allowed during the last two weeks of school.
Prince George County School Food & Nutrition Department has enrolled in an internet-based service called
mySchoolBucks. This service is a website where you can pay for your child(ren’s) meals using your Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card for a small fee. MySchoolBucks enables parents to keep
track of their child(ren’s) account balance. Participation is voluntary. You do not have to place money on your
child(ren’s) account in order to check balances. You will need to know your child(ren’s) student ID number, this is
obtained through the school office or contact the Food & Nutrition Department. Encourage your student to avoid
sharing his/her ID number with others. All students will be required to enter their ID number regardless of meal
status or payment method, thus insuring your child’s(ren) privacy. To get started, parents have to first enroll at
mySchoolBucks.com. Please contact our Food & Nutrition Department at 804-733-2710 if you have any questions.
Enrollment is easy!
[22]
1.
2.
3.
Go to www.mySchoolBucks.com and register for a free account. A confirmation email will be
sent to the email address you provide; click on the link included in the email to activate your
account.
Activate your account and begin adding your students. You will need their school name and
student ID.
Add funds to your students’ accounts with your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card.
Please note that as you make payments, your school’s cafeteria will download them to your student’s cafeteria
account at set times throughout the day. As of this writing, our district downloads payments at approximately:
5:15 AM, 10:00 AM and 2:45 PM, Monday-Thursday
5:15 AM and 10:00 AM Friday
2:45PM Sunday
Once the school downloads your payment, the funds are available for your student to use. There is typically,
however, a lag between the time that the payment is applied to your student’s account and the information is
uploaded to and reflected in the Current Balance link online. Money deposited into lunch accounts can take up to 12
hours to post.
If you have any questions, you can email support@myschoolbucks.com or call 1-855-832-5226.
.
CAFETERIA RETURNED CHECK INFORMATION
Envision Payment Solutions™ was selected by Prince George County Schools/Nutrition as its check service
provider. Please be aware that if your check is returned, it may be re-presented electronically. Also, in presenting a
check for payment, you authorize service charges and processing fees to be debited from the same account should the
check be dishonored. These fees, as permitted by state law, may be debited as a paper draft or an electronic funds
transfer, at our option. Each dishonored item is subject to the applicable state returned check fees.
Specifically, per Virginia Code Annotated § 8.01-27.1, the service fee for returned checks is as follows: $50, plus
legal interest from the date of the check and the bad check return fee charged to the holder by its bank. (Note that the
fee structure will change according to any amendments made to VA law during a school year.)
If you wish to inquire about a returned check written to Prince George County Schools/Nutrition, please contact
Envision Payment Solutions™ directly at Phone # 877-290-5460 or 770-709-3013. Fax # 770-709-3007 or P.O. Box
157, Suwanee, GA 30024-0157.
Please check your schools web site or our district web site @ http://pgs.k12.va.us/for further information.
[23]
CAFETERIA RULES
Most children are very cooperative in trying to use “restaurant” or “dinner table” manners. We are
committed to using positive reinforcement techniques such as praise while stressing the importance of
cafeteria behavior. Please review these rules with your child:
1) Walk & sit down.
2) Eat only your food.
3) Talk quietly.
4) Clean up & throw away trash.
5) Walk & line up quietly.
NUTRITION ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC)
Nutrition Advisory Councils were organized in all Prince George K-5 schools for the purpose of
providing input and ideas needed to make wise food choices and to increase participation in the School Lunch
Program. South Elementary NAC consists of the Food Service manager, a teacher, five (5) students, and three
(3) parents. The Principal serves as an ex officio member of the council.
[24]
LIBRARY
INFORMATION
LIBRARY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
There are five (5) objectives that the South Elementary Library has for
the students:
1. To foster the desire to read
2. To develop behavior appropriate to the library setting
3. To develop a responsible attitude toward the use and care of library materials.
4. To acquire, appropriate to grade level, facility in using library terminology and resources.
5. To acquire a basic awareness of technology and its place in our daily lives.
CHECKING OUT BOOKS
Kindergarten and first grade students may check out one (1) book each week. This book is due back
in the library one week from the day it is checked out.
Second through fifth grade students may check out two (2) books each week. These books are due
back in the library one week from the day they were checked out.
All students will be notified in writing of any overdue books. Books must be returned before others
may be checked out. No fines are charged for overdue books.
There are two open check out periods each day when students can return library books and check out
library books.
LOST OR DAMAGED BOOK POLICY
Books checked out of the library are the responsibility of the child who checked them out. Any loss of
or damage to books by a second party will have to be compensated by the person who checked the books out.
Books that are damaged beyond reasonable repair must be paid for at shelf list price (original cost) or
a minimum of $15.00. Books reported lost must be paid for at the shelf list price. Lost books should be
reported in writing to the librarian by a parent. In the case of lost books, which are found and returned after
having been paid for, a refund will be made. NO REFUNDS will be made after the last day of school.
Failure to pay for a book, which was lost or damaged during a previous year, will result in the loss of
borrowing privileges in following years until payment is made.
Damage to books or magazines must not be repaired outside of the library. Damage should be brought
to the attention of the librarian when the item is returned so that proper repair may be made in the library.
A replacement fee of $1.00 will be charged for damage to the circulation bar codes on the front of all
library materials. All borrowing privileges will be revoked until obligations are resolved.
[25]
Health Information
SCOLIOSIS
A progressive, abnormal curving in the middle or lower spine is referred to
as scoliosis. It can occur at any age, but it most often begins during adolescence. It
is more common in females than in males. The cause is unknown, but it is often
genetic. Signs of Scoliosis: Rounded shoulders; One shoulder that is higher than the
other; A sunken chest; A swayback; A shoulder blade that sticks out abnormally;
One side of the pelvis thrusting forward; Back pain. If you notice any of the above
signs in your child, your child’s doctor should be consulted. The curve is often
much greater than it appears to be, and early treatment is important. Screening for
scoliosis is easy and should be done beginning at about age 10 and continue until the spine has fully matured.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
The mission of our school health services program is to promote health and wellness for our students
and their families, our staff and community. Our goals are to:
 Provide students with first aid and emergency care for illness and injury;
 Provide nursing care to students with medical needs;
 Ensure access or referral to primary health care services and community
resources;
 Prevent and control communicable disease and other health problems;
 Promote a safe and healthy school environment;
 Provide educational and counseling opportunities for promoting individual,
family, and community health.
Illness:
To protect all children from communicable disease, we request that parents keep their children at home for fever
100 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained skin rash, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, or red
draining eye. Readmission to school for some diseases or conditions may require a statement from the physician
affirming a child has been appropriately treated and/or is not contagious.
Medical Conditions and Health Care Plans:
We encourage parents to communicate with the school nurse if their child has a medical condition such as
diabetes, seizure, asthma, heart condition, bleeding disorder, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), sickle cell
disease, or any other potentially life threatening condition. The school nurse will assist you in developing an
appropriate health care plan specifically for your child. The health care plan outlines what needs to be done
during the school day and in an emergency. The health care plan must be signed by parent and physician. Please
keep the school nurse informed of any changes in your child’s health or medical conditions.
Sick or Injured Children:
Students who become ill or are injured at school or on a school bus shall be granted permission to leave class
and report to the clinic. The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted should the nurse feel it is warranted.
Space is limited in the school clinic; therefore, we ask that you make arrangements to pick up sick or injured
children immediately. Except for unusual circumstances, students will be returned to class after 30 minutes of
resting in the clinic.
Pediculosis (Head Lice):
Each year we have a few cases of head lice detected within our student population. To help prevent this problem,
parents should instruct their children not to share personal items such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes,
hair accessories, and towels. Parents are encouraged to examine their children periodically for signs of head
lice: intense itching of the scalp, tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, presence of small grayishbrown insects on the scalp, or tiny white oval shaped eggs (nits) which stick firmly to the hair shaft. If
[26]
you suspect that your child has head lice, keep your child at home and contact the school nurse who can provide
you with detailed information on treatment.
Scoliosis:
A progressive, abnormal curing in the middle or lower spine is referred to as scoliosis. It can occur at any age,
but most often begins during adolescence. It is more common in females than in males. The cause is unknown,
but it is often genetic. Signs of scoliosis: rounded shoulders, one shoulder that is higher than the other, a sunken
chest, a swayback, a shoulder blade that sticks out abnormally, one side of the pelvis thrusting forward, back
pain. If you notice any of the above signs in your child, your child’s doctor should be consulted. The curve is
often much greater than it appears to be, and early treatment is important. Screening for scoliosis is easy and
should be done beginning at about age 10 and continue until the spine has fully matured. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call your child’s school for further information.
Health Insurance:
Children who do not have health insurance may qualify for FAMIS. FAMIS is Virginia’s health insurance program for
children and covers doctor visits, hospital and emergency care, prescriptions, medical tests, vision and dental care and more.
There are no monthly or yearly costs to your family. For more information and to obtain an application form, contact Prince
George County Dept. of Social Services at 733-2650 or the school nurse.
Medication Policy:
1. Prescribed medication will be administered by qualified school personnel. Parent or guardian must bring
medication in to school. All medication brought to school must be delivered to the office or clinic immediately.
Medication cannot be transported on buses or by students.
2.
It is recommended that the first dose of a new medication be given at home.
Prescription Medication:
Prescription medication must be in the originally labeled prescription bottle that clearly indicates name of student,
name of medication, dosage and hour to be given, and name of prescriber. Written approval for prescription
medication must be signed by the parent or guardian and prescribing physician/nurse practitioner prior to
administration of medication.
Over-the-Counter Medication:
Over-the-counter non-prescription medication must be in the original, unopened container, labeled with student’s
name. Written approval for non-prescription medication must be signed by parent or guardian. If a child requires
a non-prescription medication for 10 or more consecutive school days, parent will be required to provide written
authorization from a physician or nurse practitioner.
3.
Any changes in an original medication authorization require a new written authorization and corresponding change
in the prescription label.
4.
Antibiotics prescribed 3 times a day will not be given at school. These can be administered at home before school,
after school and at bed time. Where antibiotics are prescribed 4 times a day, one dose will be given at lunch time.
5.
Medication ordered every 2 hours cannot be handled by school personnel. Students receiving medication this
often probably need to stay at home.
6.
Medication that is to be given in the morning should be administered at home prior to arrival to school, if at all
possible.
7.
Parents may give medication to their child during the day if they so desire. Parents should check in at the school
office first when coming into the school for this purpose.
[27]
8.
Students with a diagnosis of asthma and/or anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) may possess and self-administer
inhaled asthma medications and/or auto-injectable epinephrine during the school day, at school-sponsored
activities, and while on the bus or other school property provided the following conditions are met: The student
must have written consent from a parent; written notice from a physician or nurse practitioner that identifies the
name, dosage and frequency of medication and circumstances which warrant such medication to be selfadministered; physician confirmation that student demonstrates ability to safely and effectively self-administer
medication; and an individualized health care plan including emergency procedures for any life-threatening
conditions. The permission to possess and self-administer inhaled asthma medications and/or auto-injectable
epinephrine shall be effective for one year, defined as 365 calendar days, and must be renewed annually.
9.
Parents are responsible for providing medications and any equipment required to administer medications or
provide special medical care, such as, but not limited to lancets, needles, and syringes; glucometer; testing strips;
supplemental snacks; nebulizer tubing and mouthpiece. (Each school is equipped with a nebulizer machine for
student use.)
10. Medication will be stored in a locked cabinet or secured area.
11. Left over medication must be picked up at the end of the school year or it will be discarded.
Copies of health care plans and medication authorization forms can be obtained from the school nurse or
downloaded from the Prince George County School webpage: www.pgs.k12.va.us
[28]
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND CODES
Planning for emergencies and unexpected problems is a central component in our efforts to
ensure the health, safety and welfare of our students and staff. Emergency drills for fire will be
practiced once a week for the first month of school and thereafter will be done once every month.
Drills for severe weather will be practiced once per semester. All students and staff will be instructed
in appropriate procedures and the use of the crisis codes that follow:
Code Blue
Tornado/hurricane watch
Code Orange Earthquake
Code Red
Intruder/trespasser
Code Yellow
Bomb Threat
Code Green
Early Dismissal
Bell System
Fire
Code Zero and/or Bell System - All clear; resume regular schedule
Emergency School Closing Information
2015-16
In case of emergency school closings, you will receive an automated telephone call,
information will be posted on the school system's website, pgs.k12.va.us, and the
following will carry our announcement:
Radio Stations
Television Stations
Station
Call Numbers
Channel
Call Letters
WKHK
WRVA
WRVQ
WRXL
WCVE
WBTJ
SPIRIT FM
K95 FM
1140 AM
Q94.5 FM
XL102.1 FM
88.9 FM
106.5 FM
89.5 FM
6
8
12
WTVR
WRIC
WWBT
Fort Lee Contacts
School Liaison Officer – Chaundra Taswell – 765-3813
Public Affairs – 734-7451
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
(GUIDELINES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER)
Schools Opening Late. Champions Extended Learning will follow late opening schedule
(i.e. 1 or 2 hour delay).
Schools Closing Early. Champions Extended Learning will close one hour after school
closing (i.e., if schools close at 12 Noon, then daycare closes at 1 P.M.)
[29]
Schools Closed. Employees: Code 1. Daycare operates normal hours.
Schools Closed. Employees: Code 2. No daycare.
Schools Closed. Employees: Code 3. No daycare.
Schools Closed. Employees: Code 4. No daycare
Notes:

PLEASE NOTE: Breakfast will not be served if school opens 2 hours late; however, it
will be served if opening 1 hour late.
Transportation
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus service is available to ALL children who are served by the Prince George County
Schools. Buses are designated for South Elementary School. Each student should learn
his/her bus number and driver's name. FORT LEE Students should also learn their BUS
STOP NUMBER.
All pupils are under the supervision of the bus driver and must obey the bus rules at all times. The bus
driver has the same authority on the bus as the teacher does in the classroom. Students that consistently break
the bus rules will be suspended from the bus for a specific number of days. INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS
PROHIBIT THE USE OF PARENTAL AIDES ON SCHOOL BUSES.
RIDING A DIFFERENT BUS
Should it be necessary for a child to ride a different bus than he/she normally rides or to be picked up
by the parent, the parents must send a note to the school including all necessary details (Names, addresses, bus
numbers, & phone #s). Bus changes will only be permitted in emergency situations. Otherwise the child will
be placed on his/her regular bus. The student must show the note to the teacher in the morning and then take it
to the office for a bus pass to be written. A bus pass will be given to the bus driver on whose bus the child will
be riding that day, and a copy will be faxed to the Transportation Dept.
Please make certain that a note as described above is sent to the school each time it is necessary for your child
to make a bus change. A phone call is not acceptable.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY AND YOUR CHILD
All students in the Prince George School System that ride the school buses are subject to School Bus
Rules and Regulations established by the school board. They are subject to these rules and regulations until
they get off the bus at school or the bus stop near their homes. Any behavior which distracts the driver is a
VERY SERIOUS HAZARD to safe operation of the vehicle, and as such, jeopardizes the safety of all
passengers.
Every school is supplied with School Bus Incident Reports which reflect the rules of student conduct.
These reports will be used to cite violations of rules and regulations.
If your child is reported for any violation of the School Bus Rules and Regulations, the Principal may
take one of the following disciplinary measures:
1. Speak to the student and give verbal reprimand.
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2. Speak to the student and send a warning letter home stating what has
taken place on the bus.
3. Suspend the student from riding the bus.
It is up to the discretion of the principal as to the action taken. The number of
days a student is suspended from riding the bus is determined by the seriousness of the
infraction, and the student's past record of ridership. Parents will be notified by letter
when a student is suspended from the bus. The letter will be given to the student for the
parents, and a copy will be mailed home as well. Phone calls will also be made when
possible.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS RIDING
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOL BUSES
The number of students who may ride the school bus is determined by the total
number who can be seated and who, for distances, can stand in the aisle back
of the driver's seat. Students shall not be permitted to stand by the side of the
driver, in the step well, or between the driver and the entrance door.
(BUSES ARE DESIGNED TO SEAT 3 STUDENTS PER SEAT)
The bus driver is the only person permitted to open and close the entrance door.
Posters, stickers, or advertising materials of any kind are prohibited in or on school buses.
No object shall be placed in the bus that will restrict passageway to entrance or emergency door.
ALL students are under the jurisdiction of the driver while they are on the school bus. DRIVERS
HAVE THE SAME AUTHORITY AS A TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.
ALL students are to get on the bus and take a seat and remain there until they reach their destination.
Misconduct such as: hitting, slapping, fighting, talking loud, screaming, yelling, use of profane
words or gestures, or any conduct that is distracting to the driver will not be tolerated.
No smoking is permitted on the bus.
No drinks are permitted on the bus.
No food may be eaten on the bus.
No objects are to be thrown out of the bus window.
No objects are to be thrown or tossed on the bus.
Drivers will not make a habit of waiting for students who are late getting to the bus stop.
ALL students are expected to ride the bus that picks up at the stop nearest their homes. Students are
expected to ride the same bus home in the afternoon.
Students are not permitted to get off at stops other than their own, unless they have a signed bus pass
from the school office.
Any student found guilty of destroying any part of a school bus WILL pay for the damage and is
also subject to suspension.
Any student who does not abide by the rules stated above will be suspended from riding the bus.
On mornings there is fog; students may expect buses to be as much as one hour late.
Upon arriving at school in the mornings, students are to go directly to their rooms.
If a student wishes to ride a bus other than the one to which the student is assigned, or get off a
different stop, the student must present a note signed by the parent or guardian to the school office. If
it is approved, a bus pass will be issued to the student that must be given to the driver when the
student enters the bus.
Radios, tape players, and the like are not permitted on buses.
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22. It has been a standard practice of the Transportation Dept. to have bus drivers offload kindergarten,
first, and second graders only when there is a parent or approved adult at the bus stop in the afternoon.
This procedure is in place to protect the younger children we deliver. We appreciate the parents are at
the bus stops to receive children every day. If a parent cannot be reached, the driver is forced to either
return the child to school if an administrator is available, or park in a “safe” location until the parent is
located.
During the November 2013 School Board Meeting guidelines were established and a penalty of
$110 cost (hourly rate with benefits of Transportation, Administrative, and Support staff) be
imposed upon the parent or guardian when the Transportation Department must return a child to
school for pickup.
Consequences are:
First Offense – Warning letter from principal/assistant principal sharing penalty
cost for returning a child to school and supervision. No charge for first offense.
Second Offense – the student is suspended from the bus until the penalty rate of
$110 is paid to the school district. The parent or guardian may transport the child
to/from school; however, the child cannot ride the bus again until the penalty is paid
in full.
Third Offense – The student loses his/her bus privileges for the remainder of the
semester and the parent or guardian must pay the penalty rate of $110 for the 3rd
offense before student continues to ride. Any outstanding penalty from the previous
school year must be paid prior to the start of the next school year; otherwise, the
student will not be allowed to ride the bus.
CONDUCT AND SAFETY
In the Prince George County Public Schools, the focus is on teaching and learning in a safe
environment. Standards and expectations for student behavior are found in a booklet entitled “Encouraging
Positive Student Conduct and Safety Handbook” given to every student at the beginning of the school year.
Parents and students must sign and return the back page of the handbook acknowledging receipt of the
following documents: Contents of the Standards of Student Conduct; Copy of the Compulsory Attendance
Law; and the Code of VA copy that sets forth the duty of each parent to assist the school in enforcing the
standards of conduct and compulsory school attendance.
VOICE LEVELS
The following system is used in the school building and may be used on the buses:
Level Zero - No talking.
Level One - Whispering only.
Level Two - Normal speaking voice
Level Three - Outside voice
This system permits all school personnel to use the same “language”. It results in less confusion for
the children since we are all using the same terminology.
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Rules for “South Stars”
Follow School Rules
1. Follow adult directions.
2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. Walk in all areas of the school.
4. Talk softly – “Sh-h-h-h”
5. No name calling, teasing, or using bad words
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
Like any organization, a school must operate within the framework of a code of conduct.
Students, therefore, are expected to recognize the authority of teachers, aides, administrators, bus
drivers, and other adult personnel as figures of authority by adhering to and obeying instructions,
classroom and bus rules, and school board policies. For their part, educators recognize their
responsibility to see that such rules, policies, and expectations are reasonable and fair.
Generally, the teacher will handle behavior problems within the classroom through direct
interaction with the student and, in some cases, with the student's parents. As a general rule, students
will be referred to the office ONLY after several attempts at correction have proven unsuccessful.
Students sent to the office will conference with the Principal or Assistant Principal. In certain
cases students may be suspended from school. When suspension occurs, the student will be given a
letter to take home. In addition, letters are mailed to the student's home and one is sent to the school
board office. An attempt will also be made to contact the parents by phone.
In some instances, suspension may be necessary, because of one single act of gross
misconduct, such as the physical or verbal abuse of others, defiance of authority, destruction of
property, etc. In such cases, the parent will be notified as stated above. The parents may be required
to attend a reinstatement conference prior to the child's return to school or resumption of bus
privileges.
The entire staff of South Elementary School has the goal of establishing an atmosphere
throughout the school in which children will feel safe, secure, and happy and, in addition, have a
maximum opportunity to learn.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Students will not be allowed to bring to school personal items such as: toys, electronic games,
disconnected cell phones, balls, cards, etc. These items interfere with the instructional day. They are
often lost, loaned and not returned, or disappear, resulting in valuable learning time being spent
trying to locate them to return to the owner. Please keep these items at home. We have plenty of
educational materials for the students’ use during the school day.
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GUIDANCE
INFORMATION
GUIDANCE
The Prince George County School Board affirms that parents are the student’s first teachers and that
the public schools should serve to strengthen family and parental support. No student will be required to
participate in any counseling program to which the student’s parents object.
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
a) Academic Guidance - Guidance which assists students and their parents to acquire knowledge of the
curricula choices available to students, to plan a program of studies, to arrange and interpret academic
testing, and to seek post-secondary academic opportunities.
b) Career Guidance - Guidance which helps students to acquire information and plan action
about work, jobs, apprenticeships, and post-secondary educational and career opportunities.
c) Personal/Social Counseling - Counseling which assists a student to develop an understanding
of themselves, the rights and needs of others, how to resolve conflict and to define individual
goals, reflecting their interests, abilities and aptitudes. Such counseling may be provided either (i)
in groups in which generic issues of social development are addressed or (ii) through structured
individual or small group multi-session counseling which focuses on the specific concerns of the
participant(s).
At least annually, parents shall be notified in writing about the academic and career guidance
programs, and the personal/social counseling programs which are available to students within the school
division. Parents will be advised concerning the purpose, general description of the programs, how parents
may review materials to be used in the programs, and procedures by which parents may limit the students’
participation in the program. Information and records of personal/social counseling shall be kept confidential
and separate and not disclosed to third parties without prior parental consent or as otherwise provided by law.
It shall be the policy of the Prince George County School Board with respect to personal/social
counseling that parents will notify the school division in writing if the student is not to participate in the
personal/social counseling program.
Counseling techniques which are beyond the scope of the professional certification or training of
counselors, including hypnosis, or other psychotherapeutic techniques that are normally employed in medical
or clinical settings and focus on mental illness or psychopathology are prohibited.
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SCHOOL ENTRANCE, WITHDRAWAL,
& TRANSFER INFORMATION
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Children who will be five (5) years old on or before September 30th, may be registered for public
school Kindergarten.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Any child who is five (5) years old on or before September 30th, is eligible to attend school.
Those children who will be six (6) years old on or before September 30th and will enter
Prince George County Schools for the first time must register for and enter kindergarten.
PROOF OF RESIDENCY
A copy of one of the following in parent/guardian's name with current address: a lease, deed, rental
agreement, tax assessment, or military housing document. In those instances where parents say they
are living with someone else, i.e., aunt, grandmother, etc. a form must be filled out by the person with
whom the individuals are living, have it notarized, and provide proof (deed, lease, etc.) to establish
residency for enrollment purposes. Then the parent has two (2) months to provide additional
information to verify that they are living at that address (see residency form for list of eligible
documents).
BIRTH CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT
The child's original state-issued legal birth certificate must be shown.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT
Virginia law states that:
1. A comprehensive physical examination form (MCH-213-G, REV 10/2010) of a scope
prescribed by the State Health Commissioner performed no earlier than twelve months prior
to entering school is REQUIRED before a child shall be admitted for the first time to any
public kindergarten or elementary school in a school division.
2. Before a child may be admitted to school, a Certificate of immunization (Form 213D) from a
licensed physician is REQUIRED stating that such child had been successfully immunized.
The birth certificate, physical examination, proof of residency and documented proof of
immunizations are required before a child may be admitted to school.
TRANSFERRING
Whenever a student transfers from one school division to another, a copy of the student's records
should be sent to the student's new school division. This is done, provided a request is received from
the new school division AND the student's parent or guardian has signed a Record Release Form
either at the sending or the receiving school.
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WITHDRAWALS
Parents of children who will need to be withdrawn before the end of the school year should notify the
school in advance so that transfer papers can be processed. Parents will also need to sign release
forms permitting South Elementary School to send copies of the student's records to the next school.
CLASSROOM INFORMATION
CLASS PARTIES
The policy at South Elementary School is to allow each class to have two parties during the school
year. The teacher and class may decide when these parties are to be held. All such parties will be held at
school. The class members must do a “clean up” after the party. No "surprise" parties for teachers will be
permitted. Room parents should not collect money from the students to purchase a class gift for the teacher
without prior approval by the principal.
If you wish to provide a treat for your child’s birthday, please advise the teacher as to the date which
you plan to provide the treat. Please be extremely sensitive to food allergies when preparing any treat.We
would like for you to leave your cupcakes or treats in the office so as to provide minimal disruption of the
class. The teacher will be notified and may pick up the treat at a time when it is appropriate. Flowers and/or
balloon deliveries for students cannot be accepted at school.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments vary according to grade level and the work done in individual classrooms. Therefore,
questions concerning homework should be directed to the child's teacher(s).
FIELD TRIPS
A student is not allowed to accompany his/her class on a field trip without WRITTEN PERMISSION from the
parents or legal guardian. Permission request forms are sent home at the appropriate time for this purpose.
Please sign and return field trip permission forms without delay.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
There is a physical education period each day at a time specified by the teacher. If a health reason will prevent
a student from participating in physical education, a written note must be sent to school. Prolonged situations
of this nature will require a doctor's certificate.
FEDERALLY CONNECTED STUDENTS
Students whose parents live or work on Federal Property are said to be federally connected students
because the U.S. Government allots funds to Prince George County Schools toward their education. It is very
important for parents to notify the school if their job changes or they move. A pupil information card is sent
home once a year. It is very important that this card be completed and returned promptly. These cards are used
to determine the federally connected student population of the Prince George County Public Schools.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
The Prince George County Board, acting under the provisions of state law, passed a policy, which
provides for the daily observance of a minute of silence in each classroom of the Prince George School
Division. In order to carry out this policy, each homeroom teacher shall take care that pupils remain
silent, making no distracting display to the end so that each pupil, may, in the exercise of his or her
individual choice, meditate or emerge in any other silent activity which does not interfere with,
distract, or impede other pupils in the exercise of individual choice.
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POLICY MANUAL STATEMENT
A complete Prince George County Public Schools Policy Manual is available online on the Prince
George County Public Schools website.
GIFTED PROGRAMS
Studies Of Advanced Reasoning (SOAR)
SOAR is a program designed for kindergarten students who demonstrate
many of the characteristics of giftedness. Classroom teachers provide
differentiated instruction in core subject areas. In schools served by the
resource program a series of Demonstration/Shared Lessons are taught
using complex content and advanced creative and critical thinking.
Students are referred for the more formalized programs at the end of the year.
SOAR is also a program for students whose test scores and/or classroom performance show
indications of giftedness but as yet their need for special services is inconsistent or unclear. They too
are grouped with a teacher trained in gifted education for differentiated instruction in all core areas.
PAL is a temporary placement, usually for one year; at the end of that time students are reassessed.
Program for Advanced and Creative Experiences (PACE)
PACE is a program for students identified as gifted in the area of general intellectual ability.
Identified students are grouped together with a teacher trained in gifted education for differentiated
instruction in all core subjects. In schools served by the resource program, students also receive two
hours of pull-out instruction (grades 1-5), an exploratory (grades 6-8), or a series of seminars (grades
8-12). Instruction emphasizes advanced higher-order thinking skills within an interdisciplinary unit.
Advanced, honors, and/or AP classes are available in grades 8-12 to all students who qualify. Small
group guidance sessions are provided. Independent study for credit is available in grades 9-12.
Referrals and Evaluation of Services
Teachers, parents, community members and peers can refer students for gifted services. Selfreferrals are also possible. Data is collected in the following areas: ability testing, achievement
testing, characteristic checklists, grades, classroom products, and honors. A very high level of
performance is expected. No one criterion gets a student into nor keeps a student out of the programs
for the gifted. Following an annual screening procedure a school committee identifies most students
in the spring; however, referrals are accepted year round. All placements are reviewed annually.
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REPORT CARD GUIDELINES
Kindergarten
Explanation of Symbols
1) No plus (+) or minus (-) signs will be used.
2) The grade key (S, P, U) will be used for all skills listed.
Marking Certain Sections of Card
1) Circle concepts being evaluated in the following sections:
a. Hears and produces letters by their sounds
b. Identifies alphabet – upper and lower case
c. Understands concepts: more, fewer, same
d. Counts by 5’s, 10’s
e. Recognizes coins
f. Identifies a calendar, clock, etc.
g. Identifies, describes and draws these shapes
h. Groups objects according to size, color, etc.
i. Patterns: identifies, describes, extends
j. Identifies numbers
2) In the areas of science/health and history/social science, teachers should circle the instructional concept
being evaluated.
3) The ten high frequency words used for evaluation should be taken from the eighteen (18) identified
high frequency words found in the Trophies Kindergarten Teacher Edition (Vol. 3), page T-16.
Who Gives the Grades?
1) The classroom teacher will give grades in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science/health and
history/social science.
2) The classroom teacher will grade the social and self-development section of the card and complete the
attendance record.
3) Art, music, and physical education grades will be given by the resource teachers in those respective
areas.
Grades 1 thru 5
Explanation of Symbols
1) No plus (+) or minus (-) signs will be used.
2) The letter grades A, B, C, D, F will be used for language arts, mathematics, history/social science, and
science.
3) The letter grades S, U will be used for handwriting, health, art, music, and physical education.
Who Gives The Grades?
1) The instructor of language arts will give grades in language arts and handwriting, and indicate the
reading level.
2) The regular classroom teacher will give grades in the areas of mathematics, history/social science,
science and health. In situations where classes are grouped in teams or change for homogenous grouping,
the teacher with sole responsibility for a specific content area will issue the grades.
3) The regular classroom teacher will grade the citizenship/work habits section of the card and complete the
Attendance Record.
4) Art, music, and physical education grades will be given by the resource teachers in those respective areas.
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HONOR ROLL GUIDELINES
In order for a student in grades 3-5 to qualify for Honor Roll recognition, the following criteria must be met:
a. In the normal range in reading
b. No grades below a B
c. Music/PE/Art must be S or better
d. Social skills and citizenship grades are not considered
INTERIM REPORTS:
In addition to regular report cards PROGRESS REPORTS will be available at the midpoint of each (9)
nine weeks. Progress reports may point out a particular area in which a student is having difficulty.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments vary according to grade level and the work done in individual classrooms.
Therefore, questions concerning homework should be directed to the child's teacher(s).
PROMOTION/RETENTION POLICY
Grades K-5
I. Rationale
The retention of a pupil is always based on an Elementary concern for what is in the best interest of the
student. In addition, the process alerts the parents to the fact that unsatisfactory progress is evident early in the
student's school career.
II. Criteria
A. Grades K - 5
1. For promotion in Grades K-5 a student must pass math and language arts, which includes
reading.
2. Consideration also will be given to:
* achievement in science and social studies
* passing of the core SOL tests in Grades 3 and 5.
3. Reasonable Time
(a) No child should remain in grades K-2 more than one additional year for academic reasons.
(b) No child should remain in grades 3-5 more than one additional year for academic reasons.
III. Parent Participation - Grades 1-5
A. Parents will be notified by a form letter of the “likely possibility” of retention.
B. The teacher will schedule a conference with the parents to discuss “possible retention”.
C. A parent-teacher-principal conference, if necessary, will be scheduled in the latter part of the
final nine weeks period to discuss the final decision regarding retention of the pupil. In the
event that the parents are unable to come to the school for the conference, a form letter will be
sent from the principal to the parents.
D. Hopefully, parents and school personnel will agree that retention provides a positive
alternative for meeting the child’s needs. However, if agreement cannot be reached, the
school personnel will make the final decision.
IV. Parent Participation - Kindergarten
If it appears that it may be in the child’s best interest for him/her to remain in kindergarten a second
year, the following procedure will be used:
1. Parents will be notified by a form letter of the “likely possibility".
2. A parent-teacher-principal conference, if necessary, will be scheduled during the final
reporting period to discuss the final decision regarding retention of the pupil. In the
event that the parents are unable to come to the school for the conference, a form letter will be
sent from the principal to the parents.
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3. Hopefully, parents and school personnel will agree that retention provides a positive
alternative for meeting the child's needs. However, if agreement cannot be reached, the school
personnel will make the final decision.
V. Placement Policy
A. A pupil who is not making satisfactory progress may be placed in the next highest grade at
the discretion of the principal in consultation with the teacher and parents.
B. Placement will not ordinarily be considered unless the pupil has been retained previously.
C. In all cases of placement, the report card shall indicate placement rather than promotion.
VI. General Factors
A. A pupil who is retained in a grade shall be assigned to a different teacher for the second year
unless there is mutual agreement between the parent, teacher, and principal that
he/she should have the same teacher.
B. Attendance in summer school or special tutoring during the summer may not be a
consideration
for promotion.
C. C. An official year-end promotion or retention decision cannot be issued to a student until the last
week of school.
HONOR CODE FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS
An honor code is a system that operates under the simple premise of trust. Under the honor system, it
is assumed that every student has an expressed interest in preserving the integrity of the school. The
Elementary function of an honor code is to instill a common sense of honor and morality in
each student and adult at a school. This system revolves around the concept of respect: the
self-respect one has for his own word, his work, and his own possessions, and the respect
he has for the words, the work, and the possessions of others.
Therefore, it is imperative that no students commit an act of lying, cheating, or
stealing. It is equally important that no student should tolerate such behavior by his fellow
students. Since the basis of this system relies on each student's acceptance of his
responsibility to uphold the code, it is imperative that each student acknowledge that he
will abide by the code and encourage other students to accept the responsibility for living up to the honor code.
Listed below are the general activities that would undermine and violate the honor code and are,
therefore, prohibited:
1. Cheating: Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of unfair advantage on any form of
academic work.
2. Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, idea and/or thought of
another and representing it as one's own original work.
3. Lying/Falsification: This includes the verbal or written statement of any untruth.
4. Stealing: Stealing includes the acquiring of another's possessions without right or permission.
Students in Prince George County Schools are expected to uphold the Honor Code as follows:
1. The student will neither give nor receive aid on tests, quizzes, and examinations. Examples of
receiving aid would be using cheat sheets or looking on someone else's paper. Examples of
giving aid would be telling other students what is on a test, allowing other students to copy
answers from your test paper. It should be stressed that the above list includes examples and
does not constitute a complete list of the only activities, which will be punished. Other
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
activities not listed above involving the giving or receiving of aid may be construed as
cheating and will be dealt with accordingly.
Work for reports, term papers, theses, and other written work must be done in the student's
own words, not copied from any other source. Failure to comply with this requirement will
result in the work not being accepted and an office referral.
Any classroom or homework assignment to be handed in for a grade should be the student's
own work. Copied work will receive no credit.
Testing procedures set up by each teacher will be followed. Failure to follow these procedures
will result in the issuing of a discipline referral.
Violation of the Honor Code will result in a zero for the assigned task. Depending on the
severity of the incident, suspension may occur.
Violation of the Honor Code at Prince George High School (example - cheating) may result in
a student not being permitted membership in clubs such as the National Honor Society, Beta
Club, or S.C.A.
STANDARDS OF LEARNING
The Virginia State Board of Education passed the Standards of Learning in 1995 in an effort to
provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. For grades K-5, it includes the four core
subject areas - English, math, social studies, and science. The Standards of Learning have been revised since
1995.
They are meant to be minimal expectations. We are encouraged as a school to go beyond the
prescribed standards and to enrich the curriculum to meet the needs of all students.
For your information, you can also access them through the Internet: http://pgs.k12.va.us - Prince
George County School System’s homepage. Click on “Parents and Students”. From there you can go to the
Standards of Learning.
Testing for SOL’s occurs in the third, fourth and fifth grades. The third grade test includes SOL’s
from kindergarten through third in English, Math, Science and Social Studies. The fourth grade tests include
Math and English. The fifth grade Science test is comprised of questions from 4th and 5th grade SOL’s. Fifth
graders also take SOL tests in Writing, English, Math, Science and VA Studies. All of these tests are
administered on-line.
STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A grievance is a means by which a person may seek redress to a situation that has arisen from the lack
of compliance with the application or the misapplication of written rules, laws, regulations, or policies.
A student or his parents or guardian may initiate a grievance. If a person decides to initiate a
grievance, the established grievance procedure must be followed. Failure to follow the procedure shall result in
no action being taken to resolve the grievance.
A complete grievance procedure policy is provided in the school and is available for review during
school operational hours.
STUDENT RECORDS
The Prince George School Board shall maintain accurate and complete individual, permanent and
cumulative records for every student enrolled in the public schools. These records shall include cumulative
and confidential information and shall be the student’s official school record. Discipline records are also
included.
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In each school the principal or his designee is responsible for the collection, maintenance, and security of
scholastic records. Scholastic records are maintained in a secure location accessible to school officials who
have legitimate educational interest in the student information contained therein. The principal is responsible
for providing to professional personnel the opportunity for periodic evaluation of scholastic records.
Prince George County School Policy requires the superintendent or designee to be present for scholastic
records interpretation and explanation. The only exceptions to this are for professional personnel employed by
Prince George Schools and for adult clerical personnel who need access for maintenance purposes.
A current listing of names and positions of employees within Prince George County Schools who have
access to personally identifiable data in scholastic records can be reviewed at the School Board Office.
In addition, a copy of Prince George County’s policy and procedure on the management of scholastic
records may be obtained at the school board office.
The school official responsible for the maintenance of student records is Mrs. Robin Pruett, Principal. For
the school system, it is Mr. Jim Brown, Director of Special Education, Prince George County Schools, P.O.
Box 400 Prince George, VA 23875.
Notification of Rights for Elementary & Secondary Schools
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of
age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school
receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or
appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The
school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time
and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible
student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents of eligible students may ask the school to
amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal
[or appropriate official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why is
inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or
eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of their right to a hearing regarding
the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided
to the parent or eligible student when notified to the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One
exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate
educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement
unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the school has
contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a
parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or
assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate
educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her
professional responsibility. (Optional) Upon request, the school discloses education records without
consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
[NOTE: FERPA requires a school district to make reasonable attempt to notify the parent or eligible
student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records
on request.]
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4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education concerning alleged failures by the
school to comply with requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers
FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Notice for Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Prince George
Public Schools, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to disclosure of personally
identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Prince George Public Schools may
disclose appropriately “designated information” without written consent, unless you have advised Prince
George Public Schools to the contrary in accordance with Prince George Public Schools procedures. The
primary purpose of directory information is to allow Prince George Public Schools to include this type of
information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
 A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;
 The annual yearbook;
 Honor roll or other recognition lists;
 Graduation programs; and
 Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and heights of team members
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of
privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent.
Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish
yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local education agencies, (LEAs) receiving assistance under
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request,
with the directory information categories – names, address, and telephone listings –unless parents have advised
the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
If you do not want Prince George Public Schools to disclose directory information from your child’s
education records without prior written consent, you must notify Prince George Public Schools in writing
within two weeks of enrollment. Prince George Public Schools has designated the following information as
directory information: [Note: Prince George Public Schools may, but does not have to, include all the
information listed below.]
 Student’s name
 Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
 Address
 Telephone listing
 Weight and height of members of athletic teams
 Electronic mail address
 Photograph
 Degrees, honors, and awards received
 Date and place of birth
 Major field of study
 Dates of attendance
 Grade level
 The most recent educational agency or institution attended.
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